Conscience is above party policy

Fri, Apr 27. 2012

Editor: The recent move by former NDP Senator Anesia Baptiste to write the Leader of the Opposition and other high ranking party members showing her disagreement with an anti-constitutional policy is not only commendable, but instructive.{{more}} Baptiste’s action shows that she is neither willing to sacrifice conscience/ Religious Liberty for a political office nor for the favour and applause of men. Indeed, “for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26.

While the Leader of the Opposition has the constitutional power to revoke Anesia’s senatorial position, Jesus Christ, who has the jurisdiction over our entire being – over our conscience, has given us a commission in this earth. He who is Creator and has authority in heaven and in earth has commanded all His disciples to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you…” Later in the book of Revelation, the Christian is reminded of his duty to call men out of false religion for their own salvation, by exposing the sins of Babylon and calling man to know and love the real Christ. Revelation chapter 18 records one of the strongest denunciation of “Babylon”(all false religion)!

Mr Eustace and some others seem to think that religions, especially the well-established like the Roman Catholic Church, are exempted from such criticisms. As I consider Mr Eustace’s policy position, prohibiting candidates or prospective candidates from making public statements that are averse to another religion, I can’t help but remember all the atrocities of the Dark Ages and all the evils that have been done and continue to be done in the name of religion. How different it would have been if we had more genuine critics of religious teachings (especially anti-right ones). Many lives may have been preserved from the persecutions carried out in the name of religion.

In addition to the much enlightenment that we have today, I am also happy that we have constitutions all over the world, including in St Vincent and the Grenadines, which protect our God-given freedoms.

Protection of freedom of conscience

9. (1) Except with his own consent, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of conscience, including freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.( Constitutional Booklet of SVG).

While I know that not all Vincentians, including politicians, do not adhere to biblical values, it is a shame that we have men in government and who aspire to govern who do not appreciate and adhere to core principles of our Constitution – the Highest law of our land!

I fully support the stance Anesia took against the policy of the Opposition Leader. Whenever a policy is anti- the God-given Rights and freedoms and is unconstitutional, it should NOT be obeyed. Our conscience, which is first subject to the dictates of God, is above any party (unconstitutional) policy!

Ann-Marie Ballantyne
svgpatriot@hotmail.com